The horror of the First World War brought out a characteristic response in a group of English artists, who resorted to black humour. Among these, John Hassall, a pioneering British illustrator and creator of the influential 'Skegness is so bracing' poster, holds a special place. Early in the war, he hit on the idea of drawing a parody of the Bayeux Tapestry to satirize German aggression and add to the growing genre of war propaganda. Taking the scheme of the famous tapestry which celebrates William the Conqueror's invasion of England, Hassall uses thirty pictorial panels to tell the story of Kaiser Wilhem II's invasion of Luxembourg and Belgium. In mock-archaic language he narrates the progress of the German army, never missing an opportunity to lampoon 'bad' behaviour: 'Wilhelm giveth orders for frightfulness.' The caricatured Germans loot homes, make gas from Limburg cheese and sauerkraut, drink copious amounts of wine and shamefully march through Luxembourg with 'women and children in front.' With comic inventiveness Hassall adapts the borders of the original to illustrate the stereotypical objects with which the English then associated their enemy: they are decorated with schnitzel, sausages, pilsner, wine corks and wild boar. Drawn with Hassall's distinctive flat colour and striking outlines, Ye Berlyn Tapestrie is a fascinating historical example of war-induced farce, produced by a highly talented artist who could not then have known that the war was set to last for another two years. Together with an introduction which sets out the historical background of its creation, every page of this rarely seen publication is reproduced here in a fold-out concertina, just like the original, to resemble the style of the Bayeux Tapestry.

A classic collection of 55 of Grimm's fairy tales decorated with the delightful black and illustrations of John Hassall. Pook Press celebrates the great Golden Age of Illustration in children's literature. Many of the earliest children's books, particularly those dating back to the 1850s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Pook Press are working to republish these classic works in high quality editions, using the original text and artwork so these works can delight another generation of children.

The classic tale of The Travelling Musicians is illustrated in colour and black and white by English illustrator John Hassall. Here he shows his wonderful poster style that so suits children's books. A wonderful book to add to any child's collection. Pook Press are reprinting this book for adults and children to enjoy once again.

Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of The Ugly Duckling illustrated in colour and black and white by English illustrator John Hassall. Here he shows his wonderful poster style that so suits children's books. Pook Press celebrates the great Golden Age of Illustration in children's literature. Many of the earliest children's books, particularly those dating back to the 1850s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Pook Press are working to republish these classic works in high quality, colour editions, using the original text and artwork so these works can delight another generation of children.

The classic tale of Sleeping Beauty is illustrated in colour and black and white by English illustrator John Hassall. Here he shows his wonderful poster style that so suits children's books. A wonderful book to add to any child's collection. Pook Press are reprinting this book for adults and children to enjoy once again.

The classic tale of Roland and May-Bird and The Three Children of Fortune is illustrated in colour and black and white by English illustrator John Hassall. Here he shows his wonderful poster style that so suits children's books. A wonderful book to add to any child's collection. Pook Press are reprinting this book for adults and children to enjoy once again.

The classic tale of Aladdin is illustrated in colour and black and white by English illustrator John Hassall. Here he shows his wonderful poster style that so suits children's books. A wonderful book to add to any child's collection. Pook Press are reprinting this book for adults and children to enjoy once again.

The classic tale of John Gilpin is illustrated in colour and black and white by English illustrator John Hassall. Here he shows his wonderful poster style that so suits children's books. A wonderful book to add to any child's collection. Pook Press are reprinting this book for adults and children to enjoy once again.

This book contains three classic fairy tales; Beauty and the Beast, Jack the Giant-Killer, and The Three Little Pigs. They are decorated with John Hassall's bold and charming black and white line drawing and colour plates in his wonderful poster style that so suits children's books. A wonderful book to add to any child's collection. Pook Press are reprinting this book for adults and children to enjoy once again.